Environmental Policy

Shared Earth Trust Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SET) recognises its responsibility to protect and enhance the natural environment through all aspects of its work at Denmark Farm Conservation Centre.

As an organisation dedicated to conservation, environmental education, sustainable tourism and community engagement, we are committed to managing our activities in a way that minimises negative environmental impacts while maximising positive outcomes for nature, people and future generations.

We are committed to:

• Complying with all relevant environmental legislation and regulatory requirements.
• Preventing pollution and environmental harm arising from our activities.
• Protecting, restoring and enhancing biodiversity and natural habitats.
• Reducing our consumption of energy, water and raw materials.
• Minimising waste and promoting reuse, repair and recycling.
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
• Promoting environmental awareness and sustainable behaviours among staff, trustees, volunteers, visitors and partners.
• Integrating environmental considerations into decision-making and procurement.
• Continually improving our environmental performance through monitoring, review and action planning.

This policy applies to all trustees, employees, volunteers, contractors, visitors and partners working on behalf of Shared Earth Trust.

1. Environmental Objectives

Shared Earth Trust will:

1.1 Environmental Management

1. Develop and maintain an environmental action plan with measurable objectives and targets.
2. Monitor and review environmental performance annually and report progress to the Board of Trustees.
3. Ensure environmental responsibilities are clearly defined, communicated and understood throughout the organisation.
4. Provide appropriate environmental training, guidance and support to staff, volunteers and trustees.

1.2 Biodiversity and Conservation

1. Protect, maintain and enhance biodiversity across Denmark Farm through evidence-based conservation practices.
2. Support habitat restoration and sustainable land management that contributes positively to local and national biodiversity objectives.
3. Consider biodiversity impacts in all management decisions, projects and developments.

1.3 Climate Change and Energy

1. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions arising from organisational activities wherever practical.
2. Improve energy efficiency within buildings and infrastructure.
3. Procure energy-efficient appliances, equipment and technologies wherever feasible.
4. Promote renewable and low-carbon solutions where practical and financially viable.

1.4 Resource Use and Waste

1. Reduce waste generation and follow the waste hierarchy of prevention, reuse, recycling and responsible disposal.
2. Monitor resource consumption and identify opportunities to reduce environmental impacts.
3. Reuse, repair, recover and recycle materials wherever practicable.

1.5 Water Conservation

1. Minimise water use through monitoring, efficient equipment and good operational practice.
2. Harvest and utilise rainwater where practical.
3. Protect local watercourses through pollution prevention and responsible land management.

1.6 Sustainable Procurement

1. Consider environmental impacts when purchasing goods and services, and encourage the procurement of second-hand or repurposed goods over new where appropriate.
2. Source environmentally preferable products, including cleaning and maintenance materials where possible.
3. Support local suppliers and producers who demonstrate responsible environmental, ethical and animal welfare practices.
4. Encourage contractors, suppliers and partner organisations to adopt sustainable environmental practices.

1.7 Sustainable Travel

1. Encourage the use of public transport, walking, cycling, car-sharing and online meetings where practical.
2. Seek opportunities to reduce travel-related emissions associated with organisational activities.

1.8 Visitor Engagement and Education

1. Promote environmental awareness through education, interpretation, training and demonstration activities.
2. Encourage visitors to adopt environmentally responsible behaviours during their visit and to continue these sustainable practices at home.
3. Support visitors in engaging with sustainable, accessible and nature-based activities.

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2. Responsibilities

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees has overall responsibility for environmental governance and ensuring that Shared Earth Trust operates in accordance with this policy.

Manager and Leadership Team

Management staff are responsible for:

• Implementing this policy.
• Developing environmental objectives and action plans.
• Monitoring environmental performance.
• Ensuring staff and volunteers receive appropriate training and information.
• Reporting significant environmental issues to the Board of Trustees.

Staff and Volunteers

All staff and volunteers are expected to support the aims of this policy and contribute actively to reducing environmental impacts in their day-to-day work.

3. Environmental Responsibilities for Staff and Volunteers

Recycling and Waste

Workplace Recycling
SET will comply with the requirements of the Workplace Recycling (Wales) Regulations.

Recyclable materials, including paper and card, glass, metals, plastics, cartons, food waste, textiles and waste electrical items where applicable, will be segregated and stored appropriately for collection by authorised waste contractors. Staff, volunteers and visitors will be encouraged to minimise waste, reuse materials where practicable and recycle in accordance with site procedures.

Staff and volunteers should also:

• Reuse paper, envelopes, folders and materials whenever practical.
• Print only when necessary and use digital systems wherever possible.
• Use double-sided printing and reuse paper for internal draft documents where appropriate.
• Compost food waste where appropriate through designated systems.
• Recycle printer cartridges and electronic waste through approved schemes.
• Consider waste reduction before purchasing new materials.

Energy Use

Staff and volunteers should:

• Use heating, lighting, water and electrical equipment efficiently.
• Switch off lights, computers, printers and other equipment when not in use.
• Use energy-saving settings on electronic equipment.
• Avoid unnecessary heating or cooling of unoccupied spaces.
• Report maintenance issues that may lead to energy wastage.

Water Conservation

Staff and volunteers should:

• Use water carefully and avoid unnecessary consumption.
• Report leaks or faults promptly.
• Support water-saving measures introduced by SET.

Sustainable Travel

Staff and volunteers should:

• Consider alternatives to travel where practical, including online meetings.
• Walk, cycle, use public transport or car-share whenever feasible.
• Combine journeys where practical to reduce emissions.

Sustainable Purchasing

Staff and volunteers should:

• Consider environmental impacts before purchasing.
• Check existing resources before ordering new items.
• Choose durable, reusable and environmentally responsible products where available.

Environmental Awareness

Staff and volunteers should:

• Promote Shared Earth Trust’s environmental values.
• Identify opportunities for environmental improvement.
• Share good environmental practice with colleagues, visitors and partner organisations.
• Support the Trust’s wider sustainability and conservation objectives.

Review Information

Effective Date:                                   28 October 2026

The policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains legally compliant, operationally effective, and aligned with the organisation’s values and objectives.

Next Scheduled Review:                  October 2028

Policy Approval Statement

This policy has been approved by the Trustees of Shared Earth Trust and applies to all relevant staff, volunteers, trustees, contractors, participants and visitors as specified within the document.